Saints fear Dez Bryant suffered torn Achilles tendon

The New Orleans Saints fear newly signed wide receiver Dez Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in practice Friday, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Bryant, who was helped off the field after suffering the injury, is undergoing an MRI to confirm the injury, Rapoport and Pelissero report. He will get a second opinion on the injury after the MRI, Rapoport added.

Bryant signed a one-year deal with the Saints on Wednesday and practice with the team for the first time on Thursday.

Sources informed tell me Dez Bryant was coming out of a routine route when it happened. This is sickening for a guy who waited so long for the right fit https://t.co/Pb2tKVdBP0
â€” Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 9, 2018

If Bryant is out for the season, it would be a significant blow to the 30-year-old wide receiver's hopes to resurrect his career after sitting out most of the year in search of a team. It also would be a blow to the Saints' aspirations to strengthen their offense in hopes of challenging for the franchise's second Super Bowl title.

Bryant, 30, was released by the Cowboys in April after his on-field productivity slipped in 2016 and 2017. The once dominant physical wideout hasn't surpassed 900 yards since signing a lucrative extension in 2015 -- an extension fueled by remarkable numbers he racked up en route to being named a first team All-Pro in 2014.

After visiting with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns during the offseason, Bryant waited until midway through the season before working out for the Saints on Tuesday.

Bryant said the chance to play alongside Saints stars Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas motivated his decision to sign with New Orleans.

"For one, who wouldn't want to play with Drew Brees?" Bryant told reporters. "Not taking away from nobody else, but a guy like Drew Brees. Like I said, you got a guy like Michael Thomas, [Benjamin ] Watson, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram -- you got those types of guys -- little baby GOATs around here."

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